Ask Burton: Q: I planted a nice bed of pansies after Thanksgiving, once my summer plantings had given up the ghost. But I’ve had them in the ground for six weeks now, and they barely seem like they’re growing! This always happens to me – my pansies don’t look great until March. Why is this happening, and how can I do better?

This week’s question is usually asked in January. The solution is simple – plant in October. That’s why we’re bringing it up now!

(The answer, if done this month)
A: Pansies are wonderful flowers, because they can bloom and look nice in the cool season. They tolerate our winter weather and live without a problem, but plants just do not grow quickly when the nights are freezing!

The solution is simple. Do not wait until your summer color is dying out to plant pansies. Clear the beds out now and replant, now that the summer’s heat has broken. Pansies planted while we still have some warm weather will fill in nicely before the winter temperatures slow their growth dramatically. You’re giving up four weeks of summer color for an extra three months of quality show from your pansies. It’s worth it!